Assistant Director, WE WILL! Collaborative (Hybrid) Job Listing at University of California in Merced, CA (Job ID 68012)

Description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary grade for this position is E$67,800 - $122,800.  The approved and budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $90,000 - $100,000.

This position has been approved for a Hybrid work modality.  Currently this department requires incumbent to work on-campus 3 days per week.  

Please note, this position requires some evenings and weekends.

This is a renewable contract posiiton which is eligible for FULL University of California benefits.

The initial applicant review will take place on or around May 13, 2024. Posting may close any time after first interviews but will not close until a hire decision has been made. 

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities for highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

The Merced 2020 Project, a $1.3 billion public-private partnership unprecedented in higher education and completed in 2020, nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced also operates the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

The university's mission of educational excellence and rigorous inquiry is powered by three schools and numerous research institutes and centers that seek scientific and social solutions for the Valley, California and the world. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced is preparing the way for a rigorous medical education program.

The course of UC Merced's evolution is piloted by a long-range strategic plan. Enacted in 2021, the 10-year blueprint is guiding how the values of equity and justice influence our pathway to earning Carnegie R1 research status, growing enrollment, upholding our identity as a minority-serving institution, and operationalizing how commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion are enacted in each campus unit.

The Assistant Director reports to the Executive Director of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances. Assisted the Executive Director in establishing the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances, and WE WILL Collaborate on staffing and work portfolio overseeing all WE WILL! Collaborative subawards. The Assistant Director will support the Executive Director with oversight and activities related to the state funded WE WILL! Collaborative in the Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin tri-county and district-centered K-20 projects. Demonstrates experience in intersegmental, multisector systems with proven outcomes for the system and the people it serves. Helps to identify risks, threats, and/or opportunities and inform the Executive Director so they can respond accordingly. Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the incumbent is responsible for assigned tasks and involvement with the WE WILL! Collaboratives and K-20 service models, supports, and educational partnerships to ensure compliance and progress toward meeting grant and program objectives. Participates in discussions and helps bridge ideas from K-12, postsecondary, and industry partners. May help to facilitate, plan and guide under direction, the WE WILL! Collaborative workgroup priorities. 

Assists the Executive Director with facilitating with impartiality to ensure the collaborative performs all tasks, makes decisions, and solves problems with equity of voice. The incumbent supports the Executive Director in developing short-term and long-term strategic Collaborative plans. Ability to act on the vision and strategies of the region to increase capacity, strengthen leadership, and develop partnerships. In addition, the incumbent provides leadership using professional experiences, educational expertise, and best judgment to coach and lead collaboratives in developing equitable practices/procedures that support county and districtwide improvement. Collaborates with the Office of Data Analysis and Evaluation for technical training and development of skills in data analysis and policy assessment, reporting on K-16 projects, evaluation of projects, and approved deliverables for all K-16 stakeholders. Collaborates with programmers in projects, database enhancements, reports, and data collection elements under the direction of the Executive Director. Finally, the incumbent supports the Center for Educational Partnerships' grant writing, submission, fiscal management, reporting efforts, and data collection to ensure all grant outcomes are met as assigned.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Supports the Executive Director of the Office of K-20 Equity & Access Regional Alliances who reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Partnerships. Acts on the vision and strategies of Office of K-20 Regional Alliances in the oversight of the WE WILL! Collaborative to increase capacity, strengthen leadership, and develop partnerships with K-12, postsecondary, and workforce. Assists with providing research that helps evaluate and inform procedural systems for K20.
2. Assists the Executive Director in the daily oversight of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances WE WILL! Collaborative. Addresses inquiries from the Center for Educational Partnerships Associate Vice Chancellor, WE Will! Collaborative, campus, and/or sponsor agencies' regarding K-20 program administration. Oversees and conducts ongoing review/evaluation of office, collaboratives' outcomes, and systemic impact. Ability to act in context with the distinct landscape and culture of each of the regions that UC Merced serves.
3. Supports the Executive Director in the evaluation and effectiveness of the Office of K-20 Equity & Access Regional Alliances and the WE Will! Collaborative's service to a broad range of audiences, including the state legislature, the University of California Office of the President, campus administration, K-12 school districts, postsecondary, and the workforce. In partnership with the Center for Educational Partnerships' (CEP) Data Analysis and Evaluation reviews outcomes and relevant research with the Executive Director and makes recommendations to support the WE Will! Collaborative and enhance CEP's programming. Ensures the monitoring of policies and procedures for the WE WILL! Collaborative data collection, tool enhancement, and state compliance and reporting. Assists Executive Director in developing measurable ways to assess the effectiveness of the WE WILL! Collaborative and Office of K20 Regional Alliances.
4. Supports the Executive Director in enforcing established performance standards, monitoring performance, and conducting appraisals. Monitors the progress of the WE Will! Collaborative and K-20 regional alliances and supports their established objectives. Oversees the development, enhancement, and tracking of databases, dashboards, indicators, and tools. Oversees data compilation for grant submissions, monitoring, and reporting. Recommends program database enhancements to the Executive Director on an as-needed basis; Oversees and participates in the collection of data needed for the WE WILL! Collaborative. Prepares semi-annual analytic reports detailing and describing program activities and outcomes and makes recommendations for improvement; Actively participates in short and long-range planning for the Office of K20 Regional Alliances and WE WILL! Collaborative. Prepare specific reports and updates at the Director's request. 
5. Supports and oversees the WE Will! Collaborative and K-20 regional collaboratives' distinctive features of particular situations or activities. Understands the importance of data-informed decisions and model them in all decisions and approaches. General oversight in the implementation of K-12 training for administrators, faculty, staff, and students on K-12 research, state accountability frameworks, policies, and procedures Works with CEP administrators to facilitate all ancillary processes involved in developing grant proposals, awards, and data analysis and evaluation research projects.
6. Supports the Executive Director in budget development, monitoring and revisions for high quality and accurate reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor, campus, WE Will! Collaborative, K-12, postsecondary, and workforce partners and funders. Understand the importance of marketing and messaging the vision and goals of the region regularly and often. Ability to engage and sustain key partners from K12, post-secondary and workforce.
7. Supports the operation and facilitation of the WE Will! Collaborative and the development of plans and professional learning sessions for WE WILL! Collaborative partners on the use of the data tool, accountability frameworks, quarterly narrative reports, and financial reporting. Identifies and advises the Executive Director on improvement strategies for the Office of K20 Regional Alliances and the WE WILL! Collaborative. Promotes policies and services that provide multiple levels of support for K-20 educational partnership efforts, such as technical training and workshops related to academic standards, strategies to increase college eligibility, pathways, admission/ enrollment trends, and workforce. Demonstrates competencies as a liaison, communicator, and connector.
8. Serves as consultant/expert/resource to K-14 institutions and community organizations regarding college access and college-going culture; Work closely with other CEP programs, Data Analysis and Evaluation Program to ensure that the Office of K20 Regional Alliances is working in an interdependent fashion with other CEP Offices and units; Principle liaison to WE WILL! Collaborative partners. Represents the Office of K20 Regional Alliances and WE WILL! Collaborative during internal and external meetings, conferences, retreats, and training sessions as assigned.
9. Participates in the development and monitoring of policies and procedures for program component; Supports or leads assigned CEP central initiative(s) upon the Executive Director of the Office of K20 Regional Alliances or AVC's request.

*LI-RM1

• Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training (required); and
• 4 years of progressively responsible related experience working with K to 14 Academic Prep Programming; and/or
• in lieu of Master's Degree (required) 7 years of progressively responsible related experience working with K to 14 Academic Prep Programming and a Bachelor's Degree would be required.
• Academic background and recognized expertise in academic development and educational partnerships.
• Prior leadership experience in academic and / or K-14 education.
• Extensive knowledge in state and national educational structures and policies, current educational theories, and successful educational equity programs.
• Demonstrated expertise building collaborations between academia, education, and community agencies.
• Extensive knowledge of project management including program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Expert knowledge of high school graduation and college entrance requirements.
• Expert negotiation skills.

Background check required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected categories covered by the UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy. UC Merced intentionally promotes and maintains a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace by demonstrating it neither condones nor tolerates employment practices that discriminate against or harass any person or specific group of persons on the basis listed above. We seek candidates who will support our vision to cultivate a vibrant, equity-minded, inclusive excellence university community. When applying to UC Merced, we strongly encourage you to reflect on our Principles of Community and our 2021 strategic plan.  

Vaccination Program Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy.  All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline.  For new University of California employees, the applicable deadline is 14 days after their first date of employment. 

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace.  Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an  Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland  Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/